Tote Transport

ABSTRACT

A tote transport assembly that includes a base, a handle, a partition, and a lid. The base includes a plurality of wheels that facilitate vertical or tipped transportation of the ice cart through an environment. The base and the partition and the partition and the lid are shaped to facilitate a stacked and secure cooperation of multiple containers, totes, or buckets with the cart assembly. The partition and the lid movably cooperate with the handle to facilitate secure and sanitary cooperation of the containers with the cart assembly as well as convenient and expedient filling and emptying of the discrete containers. The stacked orientation of the multiple containers and alternate transport modalities provide a compact assembly for conveniently transporting loaded or unloaded containers throughout even tight quartered environments and in a manner that reduces the effort associated with such activities.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Non-provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 13/842,058 filed on Mar. 15, 2013 titled “ToteTransport” and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cart for transporting flowablematerials, and more particularly, to a cart that is constructed tosecurely cooperate with one or more totes and has a compact constructionthat improves transportation of the cart through tight quarters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A number of environments require the conveyance of ice or other flowablematerials from a bulk storage or generation area to various areasassociated with use or consumption of the material. For purposes of thisdisclosure, and for ease of reference, ice and ice storage will be usedby way of example. However, this is not meant to limit the applicationof the present invention to ice or any other particular flowablematerial or storage therefor.

Commonly, commercial food and beverage and hospitality environmentsrequire the transport of ice from a bulk source to locations moreconducive to the display of food stuffs and beverage dispensingactivities. Transportation of the ice requires maintaining thesanitation of the ice, transporting the ice in a manner that limits orreduces unintended spills of the ice product, and conveying the ice in aconvenient manner to limit the physical requirements or efforts of staffresponsible for replenishing or distributing the ice. The movement ofice in such environments also commonly requires consideration as to thestorage and movement of the carts, totes, or buckets throughout therespective environments due to the limited space available in the behindthe scenes areas, such as the kitchen areas, associated with many suchenvironments.

Most commonly, ice is communicated or transported throughout theenvironment by staff personnel who repeatedly travel to and fro betweenthe bulk source and the vicinity of the use or consumption activity withone or more ice totes or buckets being manually carried. The size of thecontainer, the physical capability of staff, spatial tolerances alongthe available route(s), ambient conditions, and the usage or rate ofconsumption of the ice all contribute to the number of trips as well asstaff required to adequately replenish the ice.

In an effort to expedite transportation, sanitation, and safety ofmoving ice throughout the use environment and mitigate or reduce thephysical capabilities required to effectuate such activities, othersprovide wheeled carts that are configured to transport multiple ice binsor totes per trip. While such systems allow a single staff person totransport greater quantities of ice that can commonly by carried by thesame staff person, such systems are not without their respectivedrawbacks. One such system includes a wheeled platform that is shaped tocooperate with a plurality of generally rectilinear ice buckets. Themultiple row and column orientation of the various discrete ice bucketsrequires a substantially large footprint that makes the cart generallyill suited or even unusable for use in the somewhat cramped quarters orpassages associated with many behind the scenes areas, such as kitchenspaces, associated with such environments.

Such transport systems can also dramatically increase the operatingcosts and sanitation issues associated with implementation of suchsystems. Food and drink stuffs are preferably communicated in a coveredmanner to limit contamination of the materials during the transportactivity. Where commodities such as ice are transported by placing opencontainers on a cart that is moved in close proximity to counters or thelike associated with food preparation but at elevations generally belowthe working surface associated with the counter, the inadvertentintroduction of food stuffs into full or empty ice containers as theytraverse past the food preparation stations is a risk. Close quartersalong the transportation path has the tendency to increase the riskassociated with inadvertertent contamination of the ice conveyancesystem.

In view of the variety of issues discussed above, it should beappreciated that the sanitary condition of ice, safety of the worker,and the efficiency of the transport of such commodities remain apredominant issue in most if not all commercial use and consumptionenvironments. Accordingly, a need exists for a material transport systemthat reduces the potential for contamination of the flowable materialvia unintended contact or introduction of foreign materials duringconveyance activities, provides a conveyance vehicle that has a compactfootprint and multiple modes of transport that improve the tolerance forusing the cart in confined or otherwise crowded environments, andimproves the efficiency and safety with which staff or other personnelcan convey the ice throughout the respective environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a tote transport device that overcomesone or more of the drawbacks mentioned above. An assembly according toone aspect of the invention includes a base, a handle, a partition, anda lid. The base includes a plurality of wheels that facilitate verticalor tipped transportation of the tote transport device through anenvironment. The base and the partition and the partition and the lidare shaped to facilitate a stacked and secure cooperation of multipleice containers, totes, or buckets with the cart assembly. The partitionand the lid movably cooperate with the handle or back support tofacilitate secure and sanitary cooperation of the totes with the cartassembly as well as convenient and expedient filling and emptying of thediscrete containers. The stacked orientation of the multiple totes andalternate transport modalities provide a compact assembly forconveniently transporting loaded or unloaded containers throughout eventight quartered environments and in a manner that reduces the effortassociated with such activities.

Another aspect of the invention is directed to a cart that includes abase having a generally triangular shape and an upper facing surface anddownward facing surface. An axle is engaged with the base and extendsalong a side of the generally triangular shape of the base. A firstwheel is secured to a first end of the axle and a second wheel issecured to a second end of the axle. A caster wheel, preferably of theswivel type, is secured to the base at a point of the generallytriangular shape of the base that is not associated with the axle. Ahandle is secured to the base proximate the axle and extends in anupward direction away from the base. A first cap is pivotably connectedto the handle and has a first side that is shaped to cooperate with anopen end of a first ice bucket such that the first ice bucket can beselectively captured between the upper facing surface of the base andfirst side of the first cap. A second cap is pivotably connected to thehandle or back support at a location that is offset from the first cap.The second cap is shaped to cooperate with an open end of a second icebucket such that the second ice bucket can be selectively capturedbetween a first cap and the second cap at a position vertically abovethe first ice bucket.

Another aspect of the invention that is usable with one or more of thefeatures or aspects disclosed above is directed to a cart having a basesecured to a lower end of a telescopic handle assembly. An axle that isassociated with a pair of wheels is secured to the base. A caster wheel,preferably of the swivel type, is secured to the base and offset fromthe axle such that the pair of wheels and the caster wheel support thebase in a horizontal orientation when the pair of wheels and casterwheel are in contact with a floor surface and the telescopic handleassembly extends in a generally vertical orientation relative to thebase. A top surface of the base is shaped to cooperate with an icebucket. The cart includes a lid, that pivotably cooperates with thetelescopic handle assembly and is movable between a first position and asecond position. The lid includes a first surface that faces the basesuch that the lid and the base cooperate with an ice tote such that theice bucket can be engaged with or removed from the base when the lid isoriented in one of the first position and the second position and thelid covers an opening of an ice tote supported by the base and isoriented to support another ice tote above the lid when the lid isoriented in the other of the first position and the second position.

Another aspect of the invention that is usable with one or more of theabove features or aspects is directed to a cart assembly that removablycooperates with a plurality of totes. The cart assembly includes a basehaving a plurality of wheels, wherein at least one of the wheels isfurther defined as a caster wheel and preferably a swivel caster wheel.A handle extends in an upward direction from the base and a lidcooperates with the handle and is offset from base. A partitioncooperates with the handle and defines a cover for a first containerdisposed between the base and the partition and another base forsupporting a second container disposed between the partition and the lidsuch that the first container and the second container are secured in astacked orientation that extends in a longitudinal direction along thehandle between the base and the lid with the partition disposed betweena respective one of the first and second containers.

Various other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however,that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicatingpreferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way ofillustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications maybe made within the scope of the present invention without departing fromthe spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.Other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention made apparentfrom the following description taken together with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carryingout the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top front side perspective view of a tote transportaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is bottom perspective view of a tote transport shown in Fig.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of a tote transport shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front side perspective view of a base portion of a totetransport shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross section view of the ice cart taken along line 5-5shown in FIG. 1 and shows a top side plan view of the base of the a totetransport;

FIG. 6 is a top front side perspective view of a partition of the totetransport shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a cross section view of the tote transport taken along line7-7 shown in FIG. 1 and shows a top plan view of the partition shown inFIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the tote transport shown in Fig. Iwith the partition and a lid exploded from a handle assembly;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and shows the lid and partitionrotated to a second position relative to the handle;

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective detailed view of the partition of the totetransport shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 and is a detailed view of the lidof the tote transport shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and shows a pair of ice bucketssupported by the tote transport shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a rear side perspective view of the tote transport and icebuckets shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of the tote transport and ice bucketsconfiguration shown in FIG. 12 in a first transportation orientation;

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14 and shows the tote transport andice buckets configuration in a second transportation orientation;

FIGS. 16-18 show various views of a tote transport according to anotherembodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 19 and 20 show various views of a tote transport having analternate base construction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cart, cart assembly, or tote transport20 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.Although described herein as an ice cart or cart associated withconveying quantities of ice, it is appreciated that the cart asdisclosed herein is suitable for conveyance of various commodities otherthan ice. Ice cart 20 includes a base 22, a handle or handle assembly24, a first lid or partition 26, and another lid 28 wherein base 22,partition 26 and lid 28 are offset along a longitudinal axis of handleassembly 24 and facilitate stacking of multiple containers as isdescribed further below. Preferably, tote transport/ice cart 20 isprovided in a generally compact form factor for facilitating translationof the ice cart through cramped quarters in a manner that cannot beachieved with other prior art ice cart assemblies.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, base 22 includes a first or upwardly facingsurface or side 30 and a second or downwardly facing side 32. An axle 34cooperates with base 22 and includes a first end 36 and a second end 38that extended beyond opposite respective sides 40, 42 of base 22. Arespective first and second wheel 44, 46 cooperate with the alternateends 36, 38 of axle 34 although it is appreciated that wheels 44, 46could be independently secured to base 22. A third wheel or a casterwheel 48 is also secured to base 22 and is offset from axle 34 andwheels 44, 46 associated therewith. Preferably, caster wheel 48 is aswivel caster that is constructed to rotate about a pivot 50 associatedtherewith. Alternatively, it is appreciated that caster wheel 48 couldbe provided as a support post 49 (as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20) with theunderstanding that such a configuration will have a more limitedfunctionality with respect to movement of ice cart 20 when in a fullyvertical orientation as disclosed further below. Alternatively, it isappreciated that the more forward oriented support associated casterwheel 48 or post 49 could be provided, as two caster wheels. In such aconfiguration it is appreciated that the two caster wheels would belaterally offset from the centerline associated with caster wheel 48 andpost 49.

Preferably, a plurality of fasteners 52 secure caster wheel 48 to base42. Caster wheel 48 is preferably constructed to include a pivot 50 suchthat wheel 48 can rotate about a vertically oriented axis so as tomanipulate an orientation of an axle 54 of caster wheel 48 relative tobase 22. As shown in FIG. 3, wheels 44, 46 and caster wheel 48 areoriented in a generally triangular shape that generally mimics atriangular shape of base 42 such that wheels 44, 46, 48 are oriented atrespective corners associated with a triangular shape of base 22.Referring briefly to FIG. 19, it is appreciated that post 49 and wheels44, 46 are positioned in a similar orientation. Regardless of the typeor orientation of the ground facing supports, handle assembly 24 ispreferably positioned relative to base 22 so as to extend in a generallyupward direction that is substantially aligned with axle 34. As usedherein, the rearward portion of ice cart 20 is associated with thelocation of a user relative to ice cart 20. The downward and upwarddirections are associated with vertical gravitational directionsalthough it is appreciated that ice cart 20 can be moved in bothforward, rearward, and turning directions relative to the upward anddownward directions.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, upward facing side 30 of base 22includes a container receptacle 56 that is defined by a perimeter edge58 formed by base 22. Preferably, one or more projections 60, 62 extendinto receptacle 56 and are shaped and oriented to cooperate with abottom surface of an ice bin, tote or bucket as described further belowwith the respective FIGS. 12-15. Projections 60, 62 are associated withcooperating respective hand holds formed in a bottom side of somecommercially available ice buckets. Projections 60, 62 are preferablyoriented to orient the respective ice buckets so that ice cart 20 doesnot interfere with other structures, such as handles or hangers,associated with the respective ice buckets. Such projections may bemodified to cooperate with other types of totes or eliminatedaltogether.

A rearward oriented portion 64 of base 22 includes one or more bosses66, 68 that each define a cavity 70, 72 configured to slidably cooperatewith a tube or tubular portions 74, 76 associated with handle assembly24. Bosses 66, 68 are laterally offset relative to a centerline of base22 so as to be proximate wheels 44, 46. Bosses 66, 68 can furtherinclude one or more optional gussets 78 associated with providing arobust interaction of tubular portion 74, 76 with base 22 of ice cart20. It is appreciated that tubular portions 74, 76 of handle assembly 24can pivotally or removably cooperate with base 22 or be more permanentlysecured thereto. The movable or removable interaction between handleassembly 24 and base 22 is envisioned as improving the collapsibility ofice cart 20 when not in use so as to reduce the spatial requirementsassociated with storage of the same.

Base 22 can also include one or more optional cutouts 80 facilitatingcooperation of an optional catch or optional hanger 82 associated with acontainer supported by base 22. Such an optional catch can improve therobustness of the maintenance of the containers relative to ice cart 20.An optional hanger is envisioned to facilitate the hanging of thecontainers in an inverted orientation to facilitate drainage and/or airdrying of the containers when not in use

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 6, and 7, partition 26 includes a lid portion88 and a base portion 90 that are directed to opposite elevational sidesof partition 26. That is, lid portion 88 is associated with a downwardfacing surface or side 92 of partition 26 whereas base portion 90 isassociated with an upward facing surface or side 94 of partition 26. Lidportion 88 of partition 26 includes a lip 96 that is shaped to slidablycooperate with an open end of an ice bucket or other container disposedbetween base 22 and partition 26. Preferably, lid portion 88 sealinglycooperates with the open end of a container engaged therewith so as tofacilitate the sealed transportation of liquids with ice cart 20.

Base portion 90 of partition 26 includes an upstanding perimeter edge 98that extends about at least a portion of a perimeter of base portion 90of partition 26. Base portion 90 defines a container cavity orreceptacle 100 that is generally circumscribed by edge 98. One or moreprojections or protrusions 102, 104 preferably extend into receptacle100 and are also shaped and oriented to cooperate with a bottom surfaceof an ice container or bucket associated with upward facing side 94 ofpartition 26 in a manner similar to base 22. Edge 98 preferably includesone or more cutouts 106 formed therein. As described further below withrespect to FIGS. 9 and 10, cutouts 106, 108 are shaped and positioned toallow partition 26 to pivotably cooperate with handle assembly 24 in amanner that allows a portion of handle assembly 24 to translate into thevoid associated with cutouts 106, 108.

Partition 26 includes an optional catch or is shaped to cooperate withan optional hanger 110 associated with an ice bucket disposed incontainer receptacle 100. As shown in FIG. 1, and ascertainable from acomparison of that which is shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 and in FIG. 5 ascompared to FIG. 7, upward directed facing side 94 of partition 26generally corresponds to the shape of upwardly facing side 30 of base 22with respect to the shape and orientation of the respective containerreceptacle 56, 100 such that similarly constructed containers can beengaged with either of base 22 or partition 26. As alluded to above, theorientation of projections 60, 62 and protrusions 102, 104 rotationallyindex ice containers associated with base 22 or partition 26 relative tohandle assembly 24 and any handle or carrying structures associated withthe respective containers. Such indexing improves the efficiencyassociated with user interaction with ice cart 20 inasmuch as users areable to quickly position containers on ice cart 20 in the appropriateorientation.

Partition 26 is offset from base 22 in a longitudinal direction,indicated by arrow 112, to facilitate the secure capture of a containerbetween base 22 and downward facing side 92 of partition 26. Lid 28 isoffset from partition 26 such that partition 26 is disposed generallybetween lid 28 and base 22. Referring to FIGS. 11 and 2, lid 28 includesa top surface 114 and a downward facing surface 116 that faces towardpartition 26. Lid 28 defines a perimeter edge 118 that includes a lip120 that is also shaped to slidably cooperate with a respective icecontainer similar to lip 96 associated with partition 26 as explainedfurther below with respect to FIGS. 12-15. Preferably, lip 96 sealinglycooperates with an open end of a container disposed there beneath. Lid28 is offset along direction 112 to be proximate a top end of ice cart20. A hold or grab 124 associated with handle assembly 24 is positionedproximate the top end of ice cart 20 and extends in a slightly rearwarddirection relative to a longitudinal axis associated with the elongatemembers of handle assembly 24 as described further below.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 6, and 8, handle assembly 24 includes a pluralityof tubular portions 74, 76, 128, 130 that extend between base 22 andgrab 124. Tubular portions 74, 128 and 76, 130 preferably slidablycooperate with one another in a telescopic manner to allow handleassembly 24 to be collapsed into a smaller vertical footprint when icecart 20 is not in use. One or more catches or buttons 132, 133 aredisposed along the longitudinal interface between tubular portions 74,128 and 76, 130 to provide a selectively lockable interaction of thetelescopic association between the respective tubular members whenhandle assembly 24 of ice cart 20 such that handle assembly 24 can beconveniently configured between a stored orientation and an extendedposition or orientation suitable for use of ice cart 20 as shown inFIG. 1. It is appreciated that alternate numbers, shapes, andorientations of tubular portions 74, 76, 128, 130 and locking mechanismscan be provided to facilitate collapsing of handle assembly 24 forstorage of ice cart 20 or to provide an adjustable compact orientationof handle assembly 24. It is further envisioned that handle assembly 24could include one of more catches or buttons like buttons 132, 1133 toallow removal of handle assembly 24 from bosses 66, 68 of base 22 forstorage or packaging purposes.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 8, and 9, handle assembly 24 includes a firstcrossbar 134 and a second crossbar 136 that extend laterally relative tothe longitudinal orientation of tubular portions 74, 128 and 76, 130.First crossbar 134 is constructed to secure partition 26 to handleassembly 24 whereas crossbar 136 is constructed to secure lid 28relative to handle assembly 24. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, crossbar 134includes a center portion 138 that includes a first hinge 1140 in thesecond hinge 142 that are associated with an upper surface 144 ofcrossbar 134. First hinge 140 and second hinge 142 are shaped andpositioned to cooperate with a first tab 146 and a second tab 148 thatextend in a rearward direction from partition 26. First tab 146 andsecond tab 148 each include a first arm 150 and a second arm 152 thatextend in a rearward direction from partition 26 and define a passage154 that is shaped to receive a respective hinge 140, 142 associatedwith crossbar 134. Preferably, arms 150, 152 are shaped tosnap-fittingly cooperate with a respective hinge 140, 142 such thatpartition 26 can be pivotably secured to handle assembly 24.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 9, partition 26 is movable or pivotable betweena first position or orientation 156, as shown in FIG. 1, and a secondposition or orientation 158, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. When in thefirst orientation 156, partition 26 extends in a generally forwardtransverse direction relative to the longitudinal axis 112 associatedwith handle assembly 24. Partition 26 can rotate or pivot relative tohandle assembly 24 via manipulation of the orientation of partition 26relative to hinges 140, 142. When in the second orientation 158, asshown in FIGS. 9 and 10, partition 26 rotates about hinges 140, 142 in agenerally upward and rearward direction relative to handle assembly 24.

As shown in FIG. 10, optional cutouts 108, 110 of partition 26 allow aportion of partition 26 proximate hinges 140, 142 to generally overlierespective portions of the tubular members of handle assembly 24 andfacilitate a greater degree of relative rotation of partition 26relative to handle assembly 24 while maintaining close proximity of theload associated with ice cart 20 relative to handle assembly 24.Alternatively, it is envisioned that tabs 146, 148 could be elongated inthe rearward direction relative to partition 26 but it is appreciatedthat such a construction would offset the load associated with ice cart20 in a forward direction away from handle assembly 24 and detract fromthe compact nature of the same.

Lid 28 also cooperates with handle assembly 24 in a pivotable mannersimilar to partition 26. Referring to FIGS. 1, 8, 9, and 11, lid 28 ispivotably attached to handle assembly 24 and movable between a firstorientation 160, as shown in Figure I, and a second orientation 162, asshown in FIGS. 9, Lid 28 is pivotably connected to a center portion 164of crossbar 136. An upper surface 166 of center portion 164 of crossbar136 includes a first hinge 168 and a second hinge 170. As shown in FIG.8, lid 28 includes a first tab 172 and second tab 174 that each extendin a generally rearward direction from lid 28. Each tab 172, 174 isdefined by first arm 176 and a second arm 177 that are positioned todefine a passage 180 that is shaped to cooperate with a respective hinge168, 170 associated with crossbar 136.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 11, handle or grab 124 is oriented generallyrearward of a plane that contains elongate tubular members 128, 130 andcrossbar 136 of handle assembly 24 to allow a more inclined orientationof lid 28 relative to handle assembly 24 than were grab 124 oriented ina common plane associated with crossbar 136 of handle assembly 24.Understandably, tabs 172, 174 could be elongated to allow a similardegree of rotation of lid 28 relative to handle assembly 24 but similarto partition 26, such a construction would offset the load of ice cart20 in a forward direction relative to handle assembly 24 and detractfrom the compact nature of the same.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 11, crossbar 136 includes one or more gripsites or grips 178, 180 that are shaped cooperate with a hand of theuser of ice cart 20. Grip 178 is defined by a window 182 generallydefined by center portion 164 of crossbar 136 and shaped to tolerateeither an overhand or underhand interaction with a hand of a user. Grip180 is defined by a downward facing edge 184 of center portion 164 ofcrossbar 136 and includes one or more finger contours or slots 186. Grip180 is shaped to allow underhand interaction of the hand of the userwith grip site 180 of crossbar 136. Grab 124 and grips 178, 180 areoriented to allow two-handed interaction with handle assembly 24 of icecart 20 during the use thereof. The generally rearward orientation ofgrab 124 relative to the plane associated with tubular members 128, 130and crossbar 136 preferably allows the full pivotable manipulation oflid 28 relative to handle assembly 24 independent of engagement of ahand of a user therewith.

FIGS. 12-15 show various views of ice cart 20 with a first ice bin, toteor bucket 188 and a second ice bin, tote, or bucket 190 engagedtherewith. Ice bucket 188 includes a bottom end 192 that is shaped tocooperate with upward facing side 30 of base 22 and an open top end 194that is shaped cooperate with lid portion 88 of partition 26. Ice bucket188 includes an optional handle 196 and an optional hanger 198 that arepivotably connected to bosses 200, 202 positioned proximate open end 194and oriented on generally opposite sides of bucket 188.

Ice bucket 190 has, a construction that is substantially the same as icebucket 188 and includes a bottom end 204 that is shaped to cooperatewith base portion 90 of partition 26 and an open top end 206 that isshaped to cooperate with lid 28. Bucket 190 also includes an optionalhandle 208 and hanger 210 that are preferably pivotably attached tobucket 190 proximate open end 206 thereof. When positioned on ice cart20, it should be appreciated that bucket 188 and bucket 190 are orientedin a generally stacked vertical orientation and disposed within thefootprint of base 22 and/or wheels 44, 46, 48.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 12, during loading of ice cart 20, partition 26is oriented in a pitched or rotated orientation 158 relative to handleassembly 24 such that bucket 188 can be engaged with base 22 withoutinterference from partition 26. Partition 26 can subsequently be rotatedtoward the transverse orientation 156 such that lid portion 88 ofpartition 26 covers open end 194 of bucket 188 and extends about atleast a portion of a radially or laterally directed portion of bucket188 relative to longitudinal axis 112. The cooperation of base 22 andpartition 26 with the opposite longitudinal ends of bucket 188 securesbucket 188 relative to cart 20.

With bucket 188 disposed between base 22 and partition 26 and lid 28oriented in the pitched orientation 162 as shown in FIG. 9, bucket 190can be engaged with base portion 90 of partition 26 so as to be disposedgenerally above bucket 188. Rotation of lid 28 toward the second ortransverse orientation 160 as shown in FIGS. 12, 13 allows lid 28 tocooperate with the open end 206 of bucket 190 such that buckets 188, 190are both securely captured between base 22 and lid 28 with partition 26being disposed between buckets 188, 190. It should be appreciated thatunloading ice cart 20 entails a reverse operation of the sequence ofrotation of lid 28 and partition 26 and the removal of buckets 188, 190as compared to that described above.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, ice cart 20 is capable of two modalitiesof movement or conveyance of buckets 188, 190. As shown in FIG. 14,wheels 44, 46, 48 engage a floor surface 218 and are constructed suchthat bucket 188 and bucket 190 are disposed within the verticalfootprint associated with the contact of wheels 44, 46, 48 with floorsurface 218 such that ice cart 20 is movable in the substantiallyvertical orientation shown in FIG. 14. Swivel caster 48 allows rotationof ice cart 20 about a generally vertical axis 220 of the loaded cartconfiguration wherein the vertical axis 220 is disposed within theconfines of a perimeter defined by wheels 44, 46, 48. Such aconfiguration ensures that the entirety of the weight associated withloaded ice cart 20 is borne by wheels 44, 46, 48 such that the user needonly impart directional force to the ice cart 20 to effectuate itsmovement. Such a manipulation is particularly useful for use of ice cart20 in cramped or crowded operational environments or by personnel whomay have difficulty tipping and maneuvering a loaded ice cart 20 asdescribed further below with respect to FIG. 15.

As shown in FIG. 15, when space is available and the user is physicallycapable of doing so, ice cart 20 can be tipped or pitched, indicated byarrow 224, in a rearward direction toward handle assembly 24. When inthe pitched orientation, caster wheel 48 is offset from, floor surface218 such that the load associated with ice cart 20 is primarily borne bywheels 44, 46 and only partly borne by the user. It should beappreciated that the orientation shown in FIG. 15, as compared to FIG.14, places a greater load upon _(t)he user to effectuate movement ofloaded ice cart 20 wherein a least a portion of the weight associatedwith the loaded cart is borne by the user. The cooperation of ice bucket188 between base 22 and partition 26 and the cooperation of ice bucket190 between partition 26 and lid 28 provides for a secure interaction ofbuckets 188, 190 relative to ice cart 20 to prevent shifting of buckets188, 190 relative to ice cart 20 during such a pitched orientation. Thesealed cooperation with partition 26 with the open end of ice bucket 188and the sealed cooperation of lid 28 with the open end of ice bucket 190prevents inadvertent, spilling of the contents of ice buckets 188, 190during both vertical and tipped translation of ice cart 20 even if icecart 20 is used to convey of materials such as liquids.

It is further appreciated that the transfer of loaded ice cart 20between the bulk source and distribution sites may periodically requirerepeated orientation of ice cart 20 from the pitched orientation shownin FIG. 15 to the more vertical orientation shown in FIG. 14 as afunction of the spatial requirements commonly dictated by the travelpath associated with such activities. Whereas the vertical orientationshown in FIG. 14 may prove useful for navigation associated with tightquarters and/or around corners or effectuating turns, the pitchedorientation of ice cart 20 as shown in FIG. 15, for those users capableof achieving such an orientation, may prove more expedient for thoseportions of the travel path associated with a straight direction oftravel of ice cart 20.

FIGS. 16-18 show an ice cart 250 according to another embodiment of thepresent invention. It should be appreciated that ice cart 250 includes aconstruction somewhat similar to ice cart 20 but includes variousfeatures that are unique thereto. It is appreciated that one or more ofthe features discussed below could be conveniently integrated with icecart 20. For clarity, similar numbers have been used to designate thesimilar structures associated with ice carts 20, 250.

Ice cart 250 includes a telescopic handle assembly 24 that includes anumber of slidably translatable or telescopically associated elongatedmembers to 252, 254, 256, 258 and respective cross members 134, 136 thatextend laterally therebetween. Handle assembly 24 is pivotably connectedto base 22 of ice cart 250 by one or more adjustable connectionmechanisms 260 as alluded to above with respect ice cart 20. Preferably,mechanisms 260 include a quick release lever 262 is connected to askewer 264 that passes through alternate sides of a respective boss 66.68 associated with base 22.

Preferably, a bottom end 270 of elongate members 252, 254 each includean elongate opening or slot associated with cooperation of a respectiveskewer 264. Bosses 66, 68 preferably include an open front portion 272and at least one of bosses 66, 68 can include an optional a stop 274that is shaped to slidably cooperate with a bottom end 270 of one ofelongate members 252, 254. When closure mechanisms 260 are opened orloosened, handle assembly 24 can be translated in a slightly upwarddirection, indicated by arrow 276, via the elongated slots mentionedabove, such that a lower distal end of elongate member 252 is disposedgenerally above stop 274 such that base 22 can be rotated in a generallyupward direction, indicated by arrow 278, relative to elongate members252, 254 of handle assembly 24 to provide a compact orientation of icecart 250 when not in use.

Referring to FIGS. 16-18, ice cart 250 also includes one or more ofhinges 140, 142, 168, 170 that are constructed to cooperate with apartition 26 and a lid 28, respectively. One or more of hinges 140, 142,168, 170 include a catch 280 that is shaped to provide an interferinginterface with a respective partition 26 or a lid 28 engaged therewith.Referring to FIG. 18, lid 28 can include one or more projections 282,284 that cooperate with a corresponding catch 280 to maintain lid 28 inan inclined orientation relative to ice cart 250 so that lid 28 canselectively maintain an “open” position relative to a containerassociated therewith. Ice cart 20 could include a similar construction.

A gap 290 is formed between a respective tab 172, 174 of lid 172, 174and an associated corresponding hinge 168, 170 to facilitate lateraltranslation of lid 28 along hinges 168, 170. Lid 28 can be slid in firstdirection, indicated by arrow 292, to allow projections 282, 284 totranslate rotationally past a corresponding catch 280 such that lid 28can be rotated toward the transverse orientation with respect to handleassembly 24. Preferably, partition 26 and lid 28 each include similarcatch and projection associations so that both partition 26 and lid 28can independently maintain an “open” position relative to ice cart 250.It is appreciated that ice cart 20 could include similar functionality.

Ice cart 250 also includes an alternative means of collapsing thetelescopic association of elongate members 252, 254, 256, 258. Crossmember or cross bar 136 includes a wire frame member 300 that isassociated with an actuator 302 such that the wire frame member 300 andactuator 302 each extend in the lateral direction between the elongatedmembers of the handle assembly 24 of ice cart 250. Actuator 302 ismovable in a vertical direction to effectuate movement of wire framemember 300. Wire frame member 300 cooperates with a rod disposed withinthe longitudinal members of handle assembly 24 such that actuation ofactuator 302 translates the rod in the longitudinal direction and allowscatches or buttons like catches or buttons 132, 133 of ice catch 20 toselectively disengage from an interfering association with thetelescopic members of handle assembly 24. That is, actuation of actuator24 allows handle assembly 24 to be collapsed in the longitudinaldirection.

Upward translation of handle 124 relative to base 22 of ice cart 250during an extension of handle assembly 24 allows the buttons or catchesto automatically return to the interfering association. Preferably, therod disposed within the elongated member of handle assembly 24 is biasedin a direction away from actuation of actuator 302 such that, whenhandle assembly 24 is fully extended, actuation of actuator 302 isrequired to collapse the handle assembly and actuation of actuator 302releases the catches or buttons associated with each of the elongatetelescopic associations of handle assembly 24. it is appreciated thatice cart 20 could be provided with a similar collapsible handle assemblyrather than individually operable catches such as catches or buttons130, 132 as shown in FIG. 6.

Ice carts 20, 250 both provide a compact and collapsible assembly formanually conveying various materials wherein the containers of materialsecurely and preferably sealably cooperate with the various structuresof the cart assembly. The vertical orientation of the various containersbeing conveyed improves the compact aspects of the cart assembly. Themultiple modes of use of ice carts 20, 250 allow the cart to convey anamount of material in a manner that is at least somewhat independent ofthe physical capabilities of a given user. Although ice cart assembly isshown as being constructed to convey two containers, it is envisionedthat ice carts 20, 250 be configured to cooperate with other cartsand/or be configured to accommodate multiple columns of containers toallow the transport of greater amounts of commodity during any giventrip without increasing the width of the cart. When configured tocooperate with supplemental carts, it is envisioned that such ice cartscan be connected by an articulated joint positioned proximate the casterwheel such that the multiple ice carts can be conveyed in the verticalorientation as shown in FIG. 14 by an individual user associated withthe rearward most ice cart or via cooperation of forward and rearwardpositioned users.

Various aspects of the invention are described in detail with referenceto the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like partsand assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to one embodimentdoes not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally,any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to belimiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments forthe appended claims.

What we claim is:
 1. A tote transport comprising: a base having an upperfacing surface and downward facing surface; at least one axle engagedwith the base; a first and second wheel secured to at least one axle; ahandle secured to the base and extending in an upward direction awayfrom the base; a first cap pivotably connected to the handle and havinga first side that is shaped to cooperate with an open end of a firsttote such that the first tote can be selectively captured between theupper facing surface of the base and first side of the first cap; and asecond cap pivotably connected to the handle at a location that isoffset from the first cap, the second cap shaped to cooperate with anopen end of a second tote such that the second tote can be selectivelycaptured between a first cap and the second cap at a position verticallyabove the first tote.
 2. The tote transport of claim I wherein a secondside of the first cap has a second side that is generally the same shapeas the upper facing surface of the base.
 3. The tote transport of claim2 wherein the first cap includes a plurality of cut outs formed in aradial edge of the first cap, each cut out being generally aligned witha respective vertical member of the handle.
 4. The tote transport ofclaim 2 wherein each of the base and the first cap include at least oneprotrusion that is shaped to be received a cooperating space formed in abottom portion of a respective one of the first and second totes whenthe respective totes is positioned thereon.
 5. The tote transport ofclaim 4 wherein the at least one protrusion is positioned torotationally index the respective one of the first tote and the secondtote relative to the handle so that the handle does not interfere with atote handle when the respective one of the first tote and second toteare engaged with the respective one of the base and the first cap. 6.The tote transport of claim 1 wherein the handle includes a plurality ofvertical sections that telescopically cooperate with one another andallow the handle to collapse between an in-use orientation and a stowedorientation.
 7. The tote transport of claim 6 wherein the handleincludes a grab rail and a grip rail that are oriented traverse to thevertical sections, the grab rail being formed at an end of the handleand the grip rail being located proximate thereto.
 8. A tote transportcomprising: a telescopic handle assembly; a base secured to a lower endof the telescopic handle assembly; a plurality of wheels secured to thebase such that the wheels support at least a portion of the base whenthe wheels are in contact with a floor surface and the telescopic handleassembly extends in a generally upward vertical direction relative tothe base; a top surface of the base shaped to cooperate with a tote; anda lid that pivotably cooperates with the handle to be movable between afirst position and a second position, the lid having a first surfacethat faces the base such that the lid and the base cooperate with a totesuch that the tote can be engaged with or removed from the base when thelid is oriented, in one of the first position and the second positionand the lid covers an opening of the tote supported by the base and isoriented to support another tote above the lid when the lid is orientedin the other of the first position and the second position.
 9. The totetransport of claim 8 further comprising a second lid that pivotablycooperates with the telescopic handle at a location that offsetlongitudinally along the telescopic handle from the lid, the second lidbeing movable between a first position and a second position and shapedto cooperate with an opening of a second tote disposed between the lidand the second lid.
 10. The tote transport of claim 9 wherein the secondlid has a radial perimeter shape that is generally the same as a radialperimeter shape associated with the first surface of the lid.
 11. Thetote transport of claim 10 further comprising a lip that extends in aradially inward directed of the radial perimeter shape of each of thelid, and second lid, respectively, the lip being shaped to sealinglycooperate with an open end of one of the totes and second tote.
 12. Thetote transport of claim 8 wherein the tote transport has at least twowheels and at least one of a support post and another wheel wherein thetote transport is transportable in both a vertical orientation whereinall of the wheels are engaged with the floor surface and a pitchedorientation wherein two of the wheels are engaged with the floor surfaceand the remaining wheels and/or a support post are offset in a verticaldirection relative to the floor surface.
 13. The tote transport of claim8 further comprising a grab bar formed at an upper end to the telescopichandle assembly.
 14. The tote transport of claim 13 further comprising agrip site formed by a cross member of the telescopic handle assemblyproximate the grab bar.
 15. The tote transport of claim 14 whereininteraction with the grip site deactivates a catch to collapse thetelescopic handle assembly.
 16. The tote transport of claim 8 whereinthe top surface of the base and a top surface of the lid each include aplurality of protrusions that are shaped to cooperate with a cooperatingdetent formed in a bottom portion of a respective ice bucket engagedtherewith.
 17. A cart assembly that removably cooperates with aplurality of totes, the cart assembly comprising: a base having aplurality of wheels; a handle that extends in an upward direction fromthe base; a lid that cooperates with the handle and is offset from base;a partition that cooperates with the handle and defines a cover for afirst container disposed between the base and the partition and anotherbase for supporting a second container disposed between the partitionand the lid such that the first container and the second container aresecured in a stacked orientation that extends in a longitudinaldirection along the handle between the base and the lid with thepartition disposed between a respective one of the first and secondcontainers.
 18. The cart assembly of claim 17 wherein the plurality ofwheels is further defined as one of at least three wheels wherein one ofthe wheels is a caster wheel and at least two wheels wherein the cartassembly includes at least one support post offset from the at least twowheels.
 19. The cart assembly of claim 17 wherein the handle istelescopic relative to the base.
 20. The cart assembly of claim 17wherein the partition is pivotably connected to the handle and ismovable between a first position and a second position, the partitionfurther comprising a pair of notches that are formed in radial edge ofthe partition and are oriented to overlap the handle when the partitionis in one of the first position and the second position.